Management of Natura 2000 habitats : species-rich Nardus grasslands 6230 : Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora

Species-rich Nardus grasslands are some of the most widespread habitats in the EU, occurring in 24 Member States and six different bioregions. They include a huge variety of sub-types, which may be found in very different ecological situations. It is generally an oligotrophic habitat, typical found mostly on species-poor soils throughout Europe. In spite of the fact that some types of Nardus grasslands can be considered as climax vegetation which do not require active ongoing management, the long-term existence of the habitat is in general closely associated with pastoral traditions and with extensive agriculture. The area of the habitat in Europe has declined in the last decades because of the intensification of agricultural practices on the one hand and land abandonment and too low an intensity of use on the other. Mountain types are also threatened by tourism and skiing activities.